Data center ban on the Ohio ballot? Petitioners get approval to start gathering signatures.

The Ohio Ballot Board has certified a proposed amendment that could lead to a statewide ban on the construction of certain data centers. The measure, if approved by voters, would prohibit the establishment of new data centers with a peak electrical load greater than 25 megawatts per month. This certification allows the initiative's petitioners to proceed with gathering the necessary signatures to place the amendment on a future Ohio ballot. The proposal, reported by Megan Henry of the Ohio Capital Journal, signifies a significant move to regulate data center expansion in the state, driven by concerns likely related to energy consumption and infrastructure demands. The ultimate fate of the ban will depend on the success of the signature collection and subsequent voter approval.